# Chris Hugh

> Chris Hugh is the founder and CEO of Crusoe Survival, a Southern California marine-safety company developing a wearable, pocket-sized flotation device for over-water aviation emergencies. Public records identify him as the principal investigator on U.S. Navy SBIR work that progressed from a $149,876 Phase I award in 2016 to a $999,876 Phase II.5 award in 2024, and as the inventor on U.S. patents covering buoyant anti-exposure and multi-chamber inflatable devices.

- **Role:** Founder & CEO at Crusoe Survival
- **Organizations:** Crusoe Survival, University of San Diego
- **Education:** University of San Diego
- **Known for:** Advanced Crusoe Survival's Navy SBIR project from a $149,876 Phase I feasibility award to a $999,876 Phase II.5 qualification effort., Named inventor on U.S. Patent 10,286,986 for a buoyant inflatable device., Named inventor on U.S. Patents 11,548,601 and 12,623,758 for a multi-chamber inflatable device.

## Career timeline

- **2013** — Founded Crusoe Survival in Southern California.
- **2016** — Served as principal investigator on a $149,876 U.S. Navy Phase I SBIR award for a pocket-sized surface flotation device.
- **2019** — Received U.S. Patent 10,286,986 for a buoyant inflatable device designed to support a person's body out of the water.
- **2023** — Received U.S. Patent 11,548,601 for a multi-chamber inflatable device using active and passive inflation chambers.
- **2024** — Began a $999,876 Navy Phase II.5 SBIR effort focused on qualification prototypes and groundwork for commercialization.
- **2026** — Received continuation U.S. Patent 12,623,758 for the multi-chamber inflatable device.

## Achievements

- Advanced Crusoe Survival's Navy SBIR project from a $149,876 Phase I feasibility award to a $999,876 Phase II.5 qualification effort.
- Named inventor on U.S. Patent 10,286,986 for a buoyant inflatable device.
- Named inventor on U.S. Patents 11,548,601 and 12,623,758 for a multi-chamber inflatable device.
- Developed and tested multiple configurations addressing packed size, buoyancy distribution, inflation, deployment, and boarding.

## Latest updates

- **2026-05** — U.S. Patent 12,623,758, a continuation covering the multi-chamber inflatable device, was granted with Crusoe Survival as assignee.
- **2024-07** — Crusoe Survival began a $999,876 Navy Phase II.5 SBIR effort to build qualification prototypes and prepare for Phase III commercialization.

## Links

- Website: http://crusoesurvival.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-hugh-93620942

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/chris-hugh
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-28